Peach Tree Rootstock Named &#39;HBOK 10&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new ‘HBOK 10’ rootstock, a hybrid between two peach parents, is useful as a commercial under-stock for peach and nectarine cultivars. The stock has been successfully propagated clonally by leafy cuttings and tissue culture. This rootstock imparts significant vigor control to the scion cultivar that is propagated on top of it. This rootstock produces very few root suckers, its anchorage is good and it is resistant to root-knot nematode. Utilization of adapted growth controlling rootstocks in commercial orchard situations reduces the height of the tree and the amount of wood pruned in the winter and summer, without compromising the quality of the fruit. This in turn increases the efficiency of various cultural operations such as pruning, thinning and harvesting by reducing the need for workers in the field to use tall ladders when carrying out these operations.

LATIN NAME BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica L. Batsch new clonal peach rootstock.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

The varietal denomination of the claimed peach rootstock is ‘HBOK 10’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of peach rootstock (Prunus persica) that has been denominated as ‘HBOK 10’ and more particularly to a peach rootstock that is graft compatible with peach and nectarine scion cultivars, and confers moderate vigor control on compound trees, produce fewer root suckers than ‘Nemaguard’, and is resistance to the rootknot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (race 1) isolate ‘Beltran’.

It is recognized that vigor control of compound trees on a standard rootstock, such as ‘Nemaguard’, is difficult to achieve and to do so requires extensive pruning both in mid summer and the dormant season. It is also recognized that root suckers produced on standard rootstock are required to be removed manually resulting in cost to the grower. The ‘HBOK 10’ peach rootstock has moderate vigor control that produces smaller trees and requires less pruning and produces much fewer root suckers than standard rootstock ‘Nemaguard’, which results in cost savings for the grower.

The research during which the mother tree was first selected as a potential clonal rootstock was conducted at Davis, Calif. In 1990 hybrid ‘P248-139’ was created by crossing ‘Harrow Blood’ (HB) with ‘Okinawa’ (OK) at Fresno Calif. Seeds resulting from the open pollination of a single F₁ plant from hybrid ‘P248-139’ were used to generate an experimental population (referred to as ‘OP-F₂ population’) in February of 1994. Fifty seven ‘OP-F₂’ seedlings were budded with ‘O'Henry’ (referred to as ‘O'Henry population’) and concurrently each of these seedlings was budded onto ‘Nemared’ rootstock (referred to as ‘OP-F₂ population’). There were no obvious defects in the bud unions indicating compatibility of scions and rootstocks at this stage. Compound trees of ‘O'Henry’ scion budded onto each seedling of the ‘OP-F₂’ segregating population as a rootstock were evaluated for trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), tree height, crop yield, cropping efficiency, fruit weight and number of suckers. Eight seedlings were selected for further study of rootstock potential under semi-commercial conditions at Parlier, Calif. The primary criterion used for choosing seedlings having potential for size control as a rootstock was TCA. Wood from mother trees was propagated asexually (rooted), budded with ‘O'Henry’ peach scion and planted in a replicated field trial at Parlier, Calif. in 1999. As a result of that trial ‘HBOK 10’ was identified for further horticultural evaluation.

The new ‘HBOK 10’ peach rootstock of the present invention has been asexually reproduced by leaf cuttings at Davis, Calif. The distinctive characteristics of the new peach rootstock have been found to be stable and are transmitted to the new rootstocks when asexually propagated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘HBOK 10’ peach rootstock of the present invention has a peach pedigree (vs. inter-specific heritage) and offers size control ability, root knot nematode resistance, less wood from dormant and summer pruning, and production of fewer root suckers. When used as clonally-produced rootstocks with fresh market peach (‘O'Henry’ and ‘Springcrest’), cling peach (‘Ross’), and nectarine (‘ Mayfire’ and ‘Summer Fire’) scions, they have contributed to size reduction of compound trees and no evidence of graft incompatibility or other abnormalities have been noted. Based on reduced tree height and smaller trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) compared to standard rootstocks, ‘HBOK 10’ had about an 8-12% size reduction. Although crop yield per tree usually was less than on ‘Nemaguard’ rootstock, the compound trees with ‘HBOK 10’ rootstocks that were smaller generally showed greater cropping efficiency. Ability to plant smaller trees at greater density in commercial fields provides an opportunity to recover economically viable yields per unit area. Fruit on compound trees with ‘HBOK 10’ rootstocks was either similar in size or smaller than ‘Nemaguard’. The ‘HBOK 10’ rootstock displays root knot nematode resistance levels similar to ‘Nemaguard’ and more resistant than ‘Lovell’. Compound plants with ‘HBOK 10’ rootstocks provide an opportunity for growers to develop new management practices that utilize the potential of these rootstocks to lower costs through size reduction, reduced pruning and less need for sucker control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows severely cut back tree of ‘HBOK 10’ in order to encourage vegetative growth for the collection of stem cuttings.

FIG. 2 shows the trunk of the ‘HBOK 10’ grafted on ‘Nemared’ rootstock. The graft union here is undistinguishable.

FIG. 3 shows the trunk, scaffolds and upper spreader branches of ‘HBOK 10’ grafted on ‘Nemared’ rootstock.

FIG. 4 shows small and flattened bark lenticels from ‘HBOK 10’ wood. Bark lenticels are present on two to four year old wood of ‘HBOK 10’.

FIG. 5 shows a terminal piece of a branch of ‘HBOK 10’ showing newly formed leaves.

FIG. 6 shows fruits of the ‘HBOK 10’ rootstock.

FIG. 7 shows flowers and flower buds of ‘HBOK 10’ rootstock at different stages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The peach rootstocks ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’, and ‘HBOK 50’ were developed to be improved rootstocks with size control capability and pest resistance. These three peach rootstocks were developed by: 1) screening Prunus populations for compatibility with and growth controlling potential for peach and nectarine along with resistance to nematodes, crown gall and bacterial canker, 2) hybridizing parents with these traits and beginning selection in segregating populations for individuals that possess desired trait combinations, 3) identifying individual plants that are useful as asexually propagated clonal rootstocks, and 4) assessing the potential of the best materials for commercial peach and nectarine rootstocks.

‘Okinawa’ peach was identified as a parent for its resistance to the nematodes M. incognita and M. javanica. Additionally it has a low chill requirement resulting in early blooming and presumably early seed germination. It is not known to be size controlling and it is an open, standard-type tree on its own root. ‘Harrow Blood’ peach, selected in Canada as a rootstock, was chosen as a second parent because it was reported to have dwarfing effect on scions in early years of tree growth. It is susceptible to root-knot nematode, has a high chill requirement (late bloom), produces fruit with red flesh and is a small, “twiggy” tree. The cross of ‘Harrow Blood’ and ‘Okinawa’ was previously performed in 1990 at Fresno, Calif., and an F₁ hybrid of that cross was used.

An experimental population (referred to as ‘OP-F₂ population’) derived from open pollination in 1994, of a single F₁ plant (No. P248-139) of the cross ‘Harrow Blood’ (HB)×‘Okinawa’ (OK) was generated and used.

Detailed research findings leading to the selection of the mother plants of the three rootstocks are presented in Gillen (2001). Briefly, 57 ‘OP-F₂’ seedlings were budded with ‘O'Henry’ (referred to as ‘O'Henry population’) and concurrently each of these seedlings was budded onto ‘Nemared’ rootstock (referred to as ‘OP-F₂ population’) in 1995 and planted in spring 1996. Successful bud unions of 49 seedling pairs (98 paired plants) were produced for which tree characters were measured during 1997, 1998, and 1999. There were no obvious defects in the bud unions indicating compatibility of scions and rootstocks at this stage.

A commercial nursery prepared the ‘OP-F₂ population’ by field budding a scion of each F₂ plant onto ‘Nemared’ seedlings. The ‘O'Henry population’ was prepared at Davis, Calif., by budding ‘O'Henry’ onto each of the segregating seedlings which were grown in pots until transplanted to the field. After transplanting, the main stems of all plants were pruned to approximately 24 inches and primary lateral branches to about 18 inches. Although the two populations, ‘OP-F₂’ and ‘O'Henry’ were handled differently at the outset, trees within each population received uniform treatment to facilitate detection of genetic differences.

-   Results-Root knot nematode resistance screen

The root knot nematode resistance response of each ‘OP-F₂’ seedling in the segregating population was determined from a progeny test in which open-pollinated (F₃) seedlings from each ‘OP-F₂’ plant were inoculated with live root-knot nematodes and scored for their reaction. Based on whether the ‘OP-F₃’ family was all resistant, all susceptible, or segregating, the ‘OP-F₂’ plant was considered to be homozygous resistant, homozygous susceptible or heterozygous, respectively assuming reaction to be controlled by a single gene. Preparation and application of inoculum and procedures for growing and scoring the plants and details of the screening procedure are presented in Gillen (2001). Based on the response phenotypes of the OP-F₃ families, the ‘OP-F₂ population’ segregated 9 homozygous resistant, 26 heterozygous, 12 homozygous susceptible, and two plants were unable to be scored. This segregation pattern was consistent with control by a single dominant gene (Chi Squared Goodness-of-fit Test; df=46, p=0.63). The seedlings 94-94-10 and 94-94-50 were scored as heterozygous resistant and 94-94-32 homozygous resistant for root knot nematode reaction (Gillen, 2001).

-   Results-Seedling selection for size control potential

Compound trees consisting of ‘O'Henry’ scion budded onto each seedling of the ‘OP-F₂’ segregating population as a rootstock were planted at Davis, Calif. In 1997, 1998, and 1999, trees were evaluated for trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), tree height, crop yield, cropping efficiency, fruit weight and number of suckers. The size control phenotypes (TCA and tree height) of the seedlings in the segregating population showed a continuous distribution (measured as percentage of mean TCA of the standard) and no discrete segregation pattern was seen in this population.

Eight seedlings were selected based on the trials at Davis, Calif., for further study of rootstock potential under semi-commercial conditions at Parlier, Calif. The primary criterion used for choosing seedlings having potential for size control as a rootstock was TCA, since that is considered to be a better measure of bearing surface of a tree than height (Westwood, 1978). Wood from mother trees was propagated asexually (rooted), budded with ‘O'Henry’ peach scion and planted in a replicated field trial at Parlier, Calif. in 1999, details of which are discussed in Gillen (2001). A total of 20 trees of each rootstock/scion combination were planted and trained to the perpendicular V system. Between-row spacing of 5.49 m (18 ft) was the same for all rootstock/scion combinations, and in-row spacing was 2.13 m (7ft) between trees for all treatments. Four replications of 5 trees each were arranged according to a randomized complete block design. Data collected for plant height and TCA in 1999 showed that among the 8 entries, 94-94-10 (‘HBOK 10’), 94-94-32 (‘HBOK 32’), and 94-94-50 (‘HBOK 50’) were significantly smaller than the control in both 1999 and 2000 (Gillen, 2001). Data collection on 94-94-7 and 94-94-44 was discontinued after 1999. After 2000, testing was discontinued on 94-94-5 and 94-94-48, since they appeared to be the least promising (Table 1). During the four years of this trial tree height and TCA of the three experimental stocks were less than that of the controls (mean values of ‘Nemaguard’ and ‘Lovell’). At the 2003 harvest year (5^(th) leaf), 94-94-32 showed the most potential for size control followed by 94-94-10 and 94-94-50. 94-94-32 and 94-94-10 were significantly smaller than the control for all years. Though 94-94-50 was smaller than the controls in all years it was not significantly so in 2003. In general, fruit weight was not different among trees with experimental rootstocks and the controls. Yield was consistently lower on the experimental rootstocks than the controls, though not always significantly less. Pruning weights and suckering were less for the experimental rootstocks.

Table 1 below shows mean values for tree height, trunk cross sectional area (TCA), crop yield, fruit weight, cropping efficiency, winter pruning weight and summer pruning weight of second-leaf through fifth-leaf ‘O'Henry’ peach scions on five ‘HBOK’ rootstocks and the control and mean number of root suckers on each of the rootstocks. Trees were planted at Parlier, Calif. in 1999.

TABLE 1 Fruit Tree height Crop yield weight (cm)* TCA (cm2)* (kg/tree)* (g/fruit) Rootstock Mean* S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2000 (2nd leaf) 94-94-5**  303.0 ab 10.08  33.6 ab 3.41  1.3 bc 0.18 179 a   6.05 94-94-10** 237.0 c 19.18 16.4 c 2.95  0.5 c 0.11 158 ab  11.10 94-94-32** 216.0 c 15.33 13.5 c 2.32  0.5 bc 0.07 134 b   5.42 94-94-48**  300.0 ab 21.60  29.1 ab 5.18  1.9 b 0.37 180 a   24.45 94-94-50**  260.0 bc 10.73  23.8 bc 2.28  0.7 bc 0.14 147 ab  14.00 Control *** 326.0 a 12.41 35.4 a 3.63  5.7 a 0.61 180 a   10.16 Harvest year: 2001 (3rd leaf) 94-94-10*** 272.1 b 18.59 27.6 b 5.85 11.6 b 2.23 141.7 a 7.52 94-94-32*** 267.0 b 19.17 23.0 b 3.82  9.4 b 1.52 141.0 a 5.70 94-94-50***  321.5 ab 17.36 39.2 b 4.19 14.2 b 1.34 154.9 a 5.39 Control 380.5 a 19.66 60.2 a 6.09 24.4 a 1.78 147.0 a 5.02 Harvest year: 2002 (4th leaf) 94-94-10 345.0 b 25.57 41.8 b 8.01 19.7 b 3.37 179.2 a 8.81 94-94-32 313.5 b 27.76 30.4 b 5.84 16.5 b 1.89 180.3 a 4.70 94-94-50 357.7 b 15.25 52.6 b 5.19  22.2 ab 2.11 194.6 a 6.89 Control 417.5 a 12.55 77.4 a 8.12 29.6 a 2.60 179.7 a 11.48 Harvest year: 2003 (5th leaf) 94-94-10 387.5 b 41.0  54.6 bc 9.76  33.8 ab 3.24 190.6 a 9.51 94-94-32 355.0 b 22.8 41.3 c 6.81 26.6 b 2.96 193.4 a 7.20 94-94-50  407.7 ab 19.1  73.1 ab 5.54  38.0 ab 1.61 211.6 a 5.20 Control 441.8 a 28.7 94.0 a 13.22 40.1 a 2.62 203.2 a 8.77 Cropping Winter Summer efficiency pruning pruning weight Root suckers (Crop weight (kg/tree)* (number/tree) Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2000 (2nd leaf) 94-94-5** 0.03 a 0.01 5.2 a 0.72 no data 0.0 c 0.0 94-94-10** 0.03 a 0.01  1.8 cd 0.66 0.6 b 0.1 94-94-32** 0.40 a 0.01 1.2 d 0.31 0.0 c 0.0 94-94-48** 0.07 a 0.02  3.8 abc 1.23 0.0 c 0.0 94-94-50** 0.95 a 0.01  2.2 bcd 0.55 0.0 c 0.0 Control *** 0.20 a 0.03  4.2 ab 0.75 1.4 a 0.7 Harvest year: 2001 (3rd leaf) 94-94-10*** 0.43 a 0.03 2.3 b 0.92 no data 0.0 b 0.0 94-94-32*** 0.44 a 0.07 1.5 b 0.43 0.0 b 0.0 94-94-50*** 0.40 a 0.04  3.3 ab 0.70 0.0 b 0.0 Control 0.46 a 0.03 5.8 a 0.90 0.8 a 0.9 Harvest year: 2002 (4th leaf) 94-94-10  0.50 ab 0.03 8.2 b 2.32  9.6 b 3.5 0.0 b 0.0 94-94-32 0.67 a 0.13 5.4 b 1.54 10.4 b 2.5 0.0 b 0.0 94-94-50 0.44 b 0.04 11.1 b  1.42 12.2 b 2.2 0.0 b 0.0 Control 0.46 b 0.05 17.3 a  1.97 21.8 a 1.9 0.9 a 0.5 Harvest year: 2003 (5th leaf) 94-94-10 0.68 a 0.08  4.1 ab 1.28  0.9 b 0.19  0.00 b 0.0 94-94-32 0.77 a 0.14 2.4 b 0.73  0.6 b 0.11  0.00 b 0.0 94-94-50 0.57 a 0.04  4.8 ab 0.50  1.3 b 0.10  0.00 b 0.0 Control 0.53 a 0.10 6.8 a 1.12  2.3 a 0.55 0.9 a 0.5 *Means within column and year with the same letter(s) are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test P ≦ 0.005. **Data were collected on these five HBOK rootstocks only, out of original eight, because the other three were tested to be susceptible to root-knote nematode. ***Control is the average of values of Nemaguard and Lovell rootstock together. ****Data on these three HBOK rootstocks only were collected, starting in 2001, because these were the ones that showed promise as tree size-reducing rootstocks.

-   Results-Root-knot nematode reaction of clonal propagules in     greenhouse pot tests

In 2006, reactions of clonal propagules of 94-94-10 (‘HBOK 10’), 94-94-32 (‘HBOK 32’), and 94-94-50 (‘HBOK 50’) to root-knot nematodes, M. incognita (race 1) isolate ‘Beltran’, were recorded in a greenhouse pot test. Leafy cuttings were taken from each of the three mother trees and rooted. Cuttings were grown for ten months in a greenhouse then given a chilling treatment by growing outside for another two months. Each was repotted in sand while dormant, then grown for another month in a greenhouse before nematode inoculation. A single inoculation with the isolate was made following procedures for inoculum preparation and inoculation as described by Gillen (2001) on Mar. 15, 2006. After about five months incubation the test was evaluated Aug. 9, 2006. Entire root systems of each cutting were scored for gall formation and rated according to system of Sherman et al. (1981).

Table 2 below shows nematode reaction of rooted cuttings of selected clones of experimental lines compared to standard rootstocks ‘Lovell’ and ‘Nemaguard’ in greenhouse pot tests, March-August, 2006.

TABLE 2 Cultivar or clone Number of plants Mean score S.E.M. Lovell 12 4.75 0.18 Nemaguard 12 0.17 0.11 28-3 12 3.58 0.62 29-31 13 0.23 0.12 94-94-10 12 0.17 0.11 94-94-32 12 0.33 0.14 94-94-50 12 0 0 2-6 12 5.0 0 3-6 12 1.0 0 Scores: 0 = no galls present on roots; 1 = 1 to 5 galls; 2 = 6 to 10 galls; 3 − 11-15 galls; 4 = 16 to 20 galls; and 5 = more than 20 galls.

The mean scores for entries in this experiment ranged from 0 (considered to be resistant) to 5.0 (susceptible) (Table 2). The two standards ‘Lovell’ and ‘Nemaguard’ had mean scores similar to what was expected based on their known reactions. Among the three experimental rootstocks, 94-94-50 (‘HBOK 50’) had a mean score of 0, slightly better than ‘Nemaguard’, while the scores of 94-94-10 (‘HBOK 10’) and 94-94-32 (‘HBOK 32’) were comparable to ‘Nemaguard’. These results were consistent with those obtained from the seedling screen conducted earlier by Gillen (2001).

Based on data over several years of trials at Davis, Calif., and Parlier, Calif., the mother trees, 94-94-10 (‘HBOK 10’), 94-94-32 (‘HBOK 32’) and 94-94-50 (‘HBOK 50’) were chosen as sources of asexual propagules for additional field trials, planted in 2003 and 2004, to determine their potential as rootstocks for peach and nectarine.

The productivity of compound trees having peach and nectarine scion cultivars on ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’, and ‘HBOK 50’ and standard ‘Nemaguard’ were compared in several field trials in California. The results are summarized below.

-   Performance of ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’, and ‘HBOK 50’ in field trials

‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’, and ‘HBOK 50’ rootstocks were among several studied in field trials. Data for only ‘HBOK 50’, the standard rootstock ‘Nemaguard’, and in some cases, other rootstocks where a comparison is meaningful, are presented. Data for all entries in the field trials are found in DeJong et al. (2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008).

Most of the propagation of these experimental materials for the field experiments was by leafy cuttings at Davis, Calif. Rooted materials were then potted and budded, with chosen scion cultivars, in greenhouses. Compound plants were provided during the winter for planting the following spring.

-   Comparison number one; performance of ‘O'Henry’ peach scion on     different rootstocks

A field trial was established at Parlier, Calif., in February 2003 to measure growth and productivity of compound trees of which the scion cultivar ‘O'Henry’ peach was bud grafted onto different rootstocks, including ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’, and ‘HBOK 50’ for comparisons to the standard rootstock ‘Nemaguard’ and to others either being tested or in commercial use. A total of 20 trees of each rootstock/scion combination were planted and trained to the perpendicular V system. Between-row spacing of 5.49 m (18 ft) was the same for all rootstock/scion combinations, and in-row spacing was 2.13 m (7ft) between trees for all treatments. Four replications of 5 trees each were arranged according to a randomized complete block design.

The soil at the site is a well-drained Hanford fine sandy loam. The trees were provided supplemental moisture with micro-sprinklers to maintain 100% of potential evapo-transpiration prior to harvest and about 80% after harvest. Supplemental nutrients were provided by applying UN 32 through irrigation at a rate of 5 gal per acre per application of 2 to 3 applications per year until the trees were 2 years old. Beginning in year three, 250 lb per acre of ammonium nitrate was applied each fall. Pesticides were applied according to standard horticultural practices. Weeds were controlled by mowing the row middles and applying herbicides to maintain a 1.5 m wide weed-free strip down the tree rows.

Trees were pruned in May and late November according to standard recommendations for growing the trees. Severity of pruning was adjusted according to the growth characteristics of each rootstock/scion combination to optimize crop production while developing/maintaining the desired tree shape. The first significant fruit set occurred in the third leaf and crop load was adjusted for tree size by hand thinning to maintain a minimum spacing between fruit. Because patterns of fruit maturity varied among rootstocks, fruit were harvested in several picks but data were combined from all harvests to calculate mean fruit yield. Data on crop load (fruit per tree) and fruit size were also recorded.

-   Results

There were differences in tree height and TCA among the compound trees on the six rootstocks shown for comparison beginning at the 3^(rd)-leaf (2005 harvest year) and continuing through the 6^(th)-leaf (Table 3). Trees on ‘Nemaguard’ were the largest throughout. Trees on ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ were smaller than ‘Nemaguard’ and similar to ‘Ishtara’, which is known for size controlling potential. ‘HBOK 50’ was shorter than ‘Nemaguard’ except in harvest year 2007 and although the TCA was less than ‘Nemaguard’ each year, the difference was significant only in 2005 (Table 3). ‘Cadaman’ was included for comparison because it has a level of resistance to nematodes but as seen here, trees are of similar size to ‘Nemaguard’ (Table 3). ‘Ishtara’, which has some nematode resistance, showed reduced tree height and smaller TCA than ‘Nemaguard’. ‘Cadaman’ is a peach×almond hybrid and ‘Ishtara’ a peach×plum hybrid.

Cropping efficiency of ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ was greater than of ‘Nemaguard’ in 2006 through 2008, but significant only for ‘HBOK 32’ (Table 3). Fruit weight was slightly less also. Each of the four years, the amount of material removed during both summer and dormant pruning from ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ was significantly less than from ‘Nemaguard’, and usually there was less pruned material from trees on ‘HBOK 50’ (Table 3). All three rootstocks produced significantly fewer root suckers than ‘Nemaguard’ each year.

Table 3 below shows mean values for tree height, trunk cross sectional area (TCA), crop yield, fruit weight, cropping efficiency, winter pruning weight, and summer pruning weight of third-leaf through sixth-leaf ‘O'Henry’ peach scions on six different rootstocks and mean number of root suckers on each of the rootstocks. Trees were planted at Parlier, Calif. in 2003.

TABLE 3 Tree height Crop yield Fruit weight (cm)* TCA (cm2)* (kg/tree)* (g/frult)* Rootstock Mean* S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2005 (3rd leaf) HBOK10 342 b 9.1 43.4 c 4.4  7.7 b 1 255 cd  5.5 HBOK32 337 b 7.1 33.9 d 1.6  7.1 b 1.7 250 d   2 HBOK50 367 b 2.4 58.7 b 4.7 10.1 b 1.5 251 d   15.2 Nemaguard 402 a 5 68.8 a 2.9 14.3 a 1.5 268 cb  7 Cadaman 383 a 7.1 59.9 b 2.8 14.5 a 1.7 283 b   7.4 Ishtara 333 b 7.1 36.8 dc 2.2  6.2 b 0.6 298 a   5.9 Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2006 (4th leaf) HBOK 10 428 b 9.2 52.7 b 4.3 24.1 c 1.3 191 bc  2.8 HBOK 32 421 b 8.1 46.2 b 2.3 24.5 c 0.7 188 c   5.1 HBOK 50 459 b 5.2 73.4 a 2.8 30.2 b 1.1 192 b   2.5 Nemaguard 502 a 4.1 82.9 a 2.8 33.9 a 0.8 206 a   3.8 Cadaman  479 ab 6.2 73.5 a 3.2 33.0 a 0.4 191 b   5.7 Ishtara 416 b 8.3 49.7 b 2.9 29.5 b 0.8 188 c   2.1 Harvest year: 2007 (5th leaf) HBOK 10  390 cb 9.4 68.3 b 5.7 45.1 c 1.9  208.2 bc 3.4 HBOK 32  376 cd 8.7 59.1 b 3.3 50.8 5 0.9 194.5 c 6.8 HBOK 50 424 a 7.5 102.3 a  5.3 58.0 a 0.4 199.8 c 11.7 Nemaguard 432 a 3.4 104.1 a  4.3 60.4 a 1.2 240.5 a 5.2 Cadaman 409 b 5.8 100.2 a  5.5 61.1 a 0.8 220.2 b 5.7 Ishtara 361 d 9.4 64.3 b 3.6  47.6 bc 2 197.4 c 1.7 Harvest year: 2008 (6th leaf) HBOK 10   425.6 c 9.8 83.5 b 6.6 45.7 d 1.1 205 b   5.9 HBOK 32   383.6 d 6.8 73.2 b 3.9  47.7 dc 2.2 218.7 b 4.6 HBOK 50 450 b 6.1 111.6 a  6 50.4 c 1.3 216.4 b 5.4 Nemaguard   490.9 a 9.7 119.9 a  4.7 56.5 b 0.9  221.7 ab 5.4 Cadaman   462.7 b 8.9 112.9 a  5.3 62.2 a 1.5 235.2 a 6.5 Ishtara   394.7 d 6.8 71.2 b 3.7 41.2 e 1.3 207.5 b 6.6 Cropping efficiency Winter pruning Summer pruning Root suckers (Crop yield/TCA)* weight (kg/tree)* weight (kg/tree)* (number/tree)* Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2005 (3rd leaf) HBOK10 0.21 a 0.04 4.1 b 0.5 1.1 c 0.2 0.3 b 0.1 HBOK32 0.21 a 0.05 2.4 c 0.2 0.7 c 0.1 0 b   0 HBOK50 0.18 a 0.03 4.3 b 0.4 0.9 c 0.3 0.1 b 0 Nemaguard 0.21 a 0.02 5.8 a 0.1 2.1 a 0.2 3.8 a 0.1 Cadaman 0.26 a 0.03 5.6 a 0.4 1.6 b 0.1 4.4 a 1 Ishtara 0.17 a 0.02 2.5 c 0.2 0.9 c 0.1 0 b   0 Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2006 (4th leaf) HBOK10  0.49 bc 0.04 5.7 b 0.4 0.5 b 0 0.3 b 0.1 HBOK32  0.55 ab 0.03 3.4 c 0.2 0.3 c 0.1 0 b   0 HBOK50 0.40 d 0.02 6.4 b 0.4 0.5 b 0 0.1 b 0 Nemaguard 0.41 d 0.01 8 a   0.3 0.6 a 0 3.8 a 0.1 Cadaman  0.45 dc 0.02 8 a   0.7 0.7 a 0 4.4 a 1 Ishtara 0.59 a 0.04 2.9 c 0.1 0.2 d 0 0 b   0 Harvest year: 2007 (5th leaf) HBOK10  0.66 cb 0.05 6.7 c 0.2 2.6 b 0.3 0.3 b 0 HBOK32 0.86 a 0.05 6 d   0.2  1.9 cb 0.4 0 b   0 HBOK50 0.62 c 0.04  9.4 ab 0.7 4.0 a 0.7 0.1 b 0 Nemaguard 0.58 c 0.03 10.1 a  0.3 3.8 a 0.6 4.1 a 0.4 Cadaman 0.61 c 0.03 8.4 b 0.4 3.8 a 0.5 4.1 a 0.8 Ishtara 0.74 b 0.05 4.2 e 0.1 1 c   0.2 0 b   0 Harvest year: 2008 (6th leaf) HBOK10  0.59 ab 0.04 5.8 c 0.4  0.5 bc 0.05 0.3 b 0 HBOK32 0.67 a 0.03 4.4 d 0.27  0.3 dc 0.05 0 b   0 HBOK50 0.46 c 0.02 7 b   0.5  0.81 a 0.07 0.1 b 0 Nemaguard 0.48 c 0.02 8.9 a 0.3  0.65 ab 0.1 4.4 a 0.4 Cadaman 0.56 b 0.02 8.5 a 0.4  0.64 ab 0.09 4.1 a 0.8 Ishtara 0.6 ab 0.03 2.1 e 0.2  0.13 d 0 0.1 b 0 *Means within column and year with the same letter(s) are not significantly different according to Duncan's Muitiple Range Test P ≦ 0.05.

-   Discussion

In this trial ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ showed consistent measures of tree height and TCA that are indicative of size controlling rootstocks for peach. Although compound plants with ‘HBOK 50’ were smaller than the checks in the previous trial with ‘O'Henry’ scions and generally so in this trial, the differences were not always significant.

During the course of these trials, interest was expressed in the possible use of ‘HBOK 50’ as a rootstock for almond scions because it appears to give a small reduction in size which might be more appropriate for almond than either ‘HBOK 10’ or ‘HBOK 32’ which would give too great of a reduction. Also, root-knot nematode resistance would be valuable in an almond rootstock.

-   Comparison number two; performance of ‘Mayfire’ nectarine scion on     ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’ and ‘Nemaguard’ rootstocks

A field rootstock trial was established at Parlier, Calif. in February 2003 to measure the growth and productivity of compound trees of scion cultivar ‘Mayfire’ nectarine bud grafted onto different rootstocks including ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’ and to ‘Nemaguard’. A total of 20 trees of each rootstock/scion combination were planted and trained to the perpendicular V system. Between-row spacing of 5.49 m (18ft) was the same for all rootstock/scion combinations, and in-row spacing was 2.13 m (7ft) between trees for all treatments. Four replications of 5 trees each were arranged according to a randomized complete block design.

The soil at the site is a well-drained Hanford fine sandy loam. The trees were provided supplemental moisture with micro-sprinklers to maintain 100% of potential evapo-transpiration prior to harvest and about 80% after harvest. Supplemental nutrients were provided by applying UN 32 through irrigation at a rate of 5 gal per acre per application of 2 to 3 applications per year until the trees were 2 years old. Beginning in year three, 250 lb per acre of 33% ammonium nitrate was applied each fall. ‘Mayfire’ trees, on these two ‘HBOK’ and the ‘Nemaguard’ rootstocks showed yellowing of leaves starting at the second and third leaf. Therefore, additional fertilizer in the form of 15% calcium nitrate was added right after harvest at a rate of one pound per tree. Pesticides were applied according to standard horticultural practices. Weeds were controlled by mowing the row middles and applying herbicides to maintain a 1.5 m wide weed-free strip down the tree rows.

Trees were pruned in May and late November according to standard recommendations for growing the trees. Severity of pruning was adjusted according to the growth characteristics of each rootstock/scion combination to optimize crop production while developing/maintaining the desired tree shape. The first significant fruit set occurred in the third leaf and crop load was adjusted for tree size by hand thinning to maintain a minimum spacing between fruit. Because patterns of fruit maturity varied among rootstocks, fruit were harvested in several picks but data were combined from all harvests to calculate mean fruit yield. Data on crop load (fruit per tree) and fruit size were also recorded.

-   Results

There were differences among compound trees with different rootstocks beginning in harvest year 2005 (3^(rd) leaf) and continuing through 2008 (6^(th) leaf) (Table 4). Tree height, TCA, and crop yield of compound plants with ‘Mayfire’ scions on ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ rootstocks were significantly less than with ‘Nemaguard’ rootstocks in all four years. Cropping efficiency of ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ was significantly greater than for ‘Nemaguard’ in 2007 and 2008. There appeared to be no clear patterns for fruit weight differences. Each of the four years, the amount of material removed during both summer and dormant pruning from ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ was significantly less than from ‘Nemaguard’, and both ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ produced significantly fewer root suckers than ‘Nemaguard’.

Table 4 below shows mean values for tree height, trunk cross sectional area (TCA), crop yield, fruit weight, cropping efficiency, winter pruning weight, and summer pruning weight of third-leaf through sixth-leaf ‘Mayfire’ nectarine scions on three different rootstocks and mean number of root suckers on each of the rootstocks. Trees were planted at Parlier, Calif. in 2003.

TABLE 4 Tree height Crop yield Fruit weight (cm) TCA (cm²) (kg/tree) (g/fruit) Rootstock Mean * S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2005 (3rd leaf) Nemaguard 590 a 5.4 106.7 a 5.4  9.8 a 0.4  92.3 b 3.7 HBOK 10 458 b 11.4  54.6 b 3.7  6.9 5 0.5 132.9 b 11.6 HBOK 32 360 c 2.2  41.3 c 2.9  3.7 c 0.5 255.9 a 28.3 Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2006 (4th leaf) Nemaguard 679 a 3.5 138.3 a 6.9 11.6 a 0.4  75.3 b 0.9 HBOK 10 526 b 8.7  71.5 b 4.7  8.0 b 0.3  62.2 b 1.2 HBOK 32 414 c 5  54.3 c 4.2  5.5 c 0.3  78.0 a 11.3 Harvest year: 2007 (5th leaf) Nemaguard 587 a 2.8 156.5 a 7.2 43.2 a 0.5 190 a   2.1 HBOK 10 533 b 6.2  93.6 b 5.1 33.7 b 0.6 159 c   0.8 HBOK 32 493 c 7.4  81.5 c 5.4 29.3 c 0 176 b   0 Harvest year: 2008 (6th leaf) Nemaguard 626 a 4.3 186 a   7.4 76.3 a 10.6  74 ab 0.2 HOOK 10 579 b 7.7 109 b   5.9 64.3 b 4.7 65 c  0.7 HBOK 32 500 c 7.7 85 c  4.7 51.6 c 2.3  75.8 a 2.2 Cropping efficiency Winter pruning Summer pruning Root suckers (Crop yield/TCA) weight (kg/tree) weight (kg/tree) (number/tree) Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2005 (3rd leaf) Nemaguard 0.1 a 0.01 17.5 a 2.7 9.3 a 0.2 0.3 a 0.2 HBOK 10 0.1 a 0.01  7.3 b 0.4 3.0 b 0.1 0.0 a 0 HBOK 32 0.1 a 0.01  3.3 c 0 2.8 b 0 0.0 a 0 Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2006 (4th leaf) Nemaguard 0.1 a 0.01 21.3 a 0.5 3.0 a 0.1 0.3 a 0.2 HBOK 10 0.1 a 0.01  9.8 b 0.7 1.4 b 0.1 0.0 a 0 HBOK 32 0.1 a 0  8.1 b 0 0.9 c 0 0.0 a 0 Harvest year: 2007 (5th leaf) Nemaguard 0.3 b 0.01 27.0 a 0.2 4.7 a 0.1 1.8 a 0.4 HBOK 10 0.4 a 0.03 15.3 b 0.4 2.4 b 0.1 0 b   0 HBOK 32 0.4 a 0.03 13.5 c 0.1 2.5 b 0.1 0 b   0 Harvest year: 2008 (6th leaf) Nemaguard  0.41 b 0.1 26.4 a 0.5  1.31 a 0.1 1.8 a 0.3 HBOK 10  0.59 a 0.1 19 b   0.6  1.09 a 0.1 0 b   0 HBOK 32  0.61 a 0.0 11.3 c 3.3  1.23 a 0.4 0 b   0 * Means within column and year with the same letter(s) are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test P ≦ 0.05.

-   Comparison number three; performance of ‘Springcrest’ peach scion on     ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’ and ‘Nemaguard’ rootstocks

A field rootstock trial was established at Parlier, Calif. in February 2004 to measure the growth and productivity of compound trees of scion cultivar ‘Springcrest’ peach bud grafted onto different rootstocks including ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’ and ‘Nemaguard’. A total of 20 trees of each rootstock/scion combination were planted and trained to the perpendicular V system. Between-row spacing of 5.49 m (18ft) was the same for all rootstock/scion combinations, and in-row spacing was 2.13 m (7ft) between trees for all treatments. Four replications of 5 trees each were arranged according to a randomized complete block design.

The soil at the site is a well-drained Hanford fine sandy loam. The trees were provided supplemental moisture with micro-sprinklers to maintain 100% of potential evapo-transpiration prior to harvest and about 80% after harvest. Supplemental nutrients were provided by applying UN 32 through irrigation at a rate of 5 gal per acre per application of 2 to 3 applications per year until the trees were 2 years old. Beginning in year three, 250 lb per acre of ammonium nitrate was applied each fall. Pesticides were applied according to standard horticultural practices. Weeds were controlled by mowing the row middles and applying herbicides to maintain a 1.5 m wide weed-free strip down the tree rows.

Trees were pruned in May and late November according to standard recommendations for growing the trees. Severity of pruning was adjusted according to the growth characteristics of each rootstock/scion combination to optimize crop production while developing/maintaining the desired tree shape. The first significant fruit set occurred in the third leaf and crop load was adjusted for tree size by hand thinning to maintain a minimum spacing between fruit. Because patterns of fruit maturity varied among rootstocks, fruit were harvested in several picks but data were combined from all harvests to calculate mean fruit yield. Data on crop load (fruit per tree) and fruit size were also recorded.

-   Results

There were differences among compound trees with different rootstocks beginning in harvest year 2005 (2^(nd) leaf) and continuing through 2008 (5^(th) leaf) (Table 5). Tree height and TCA of compound plants with ‘Springcrest’ scions on ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ rootstocks were significantly less than with ‘Nemaguard’ rootstocks in all years. In 2007 and 2008, ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ had significantly less crop yield than ‘Nemaguard’ and but greater cropping efficiency. Fruit weight of ‘HBOK 32’ was significantly less than ‘Nemaguard’ in 2006 through 2008, and ‘HBOK 10’ fruit weight was significantly less than ‘Nemaguard’ in 2007 and 2008. Each of the years, the amount of material removed during both summer and dormant pruning from ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ was significantly less than from ‘Nemaguard’, and both ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ produced significantly fewer root suckers than ‘Nemaguard’.

Table 5 below shows mean values for tree height, trunk cross sectional area (TCA), crop yield, fruit weight, cropping efficiency, winter pruning weight, and summer pruning weight of second-leaf through fifth-leaf ‘Springcrest’ peach scions on three different rootstocks and mean number of root suckers on each of the rootstocks. Trees were planted at Parlier, Calif. in 2004.

TABLE 5 Tree height Crop yield Fruit weight (cm) TCA (cm²) (kg/tree) (g/fruit) Root suckers Mean * S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2005 (2nd leaf) Nemaguard 398 a 14 52.9 a 2.3 HBOK 10 300 b 7.4 28.7 b 2.1 HBOK 32 317 b 5.3 32.9 b 2.1 Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2006 (3rd leaf) Nemaguard 458 a 12.1 89 a   4.1  8.2 a 0.5 43.8 a 9 HBOK 10 344 b 8.1 48 b   2.7  4.8 a 0.5 42.8 a 8.2 HBOK 32 364 b 6.2 55 b   2.2  6.4 a 0.18 41.3 b 8.4 Harvest year: 2007 (4th leaf) Nemaguard 512 a 8 126.5 a  5.8 22.8 a 0.7 112 a   0.9 HBOK 10 449 b 9.8 93.7 b 4.7 20.4 b 0.5 89 b   2.2 HBOK 32 436 b 7.5 74.9 c 3.8 20.3 b 0.5 94 b   1.7 Harvest year: 2008 (5th leaf) Nemaguard 554 a 7.9 146.5 a  5.6 * 27.2 a 0.6 101 a   0.7 HBOK 10 485 b 9.7 88.2 b 4.8 19.5 c 0.5 88 c   1.7 HBOK 32 502 b 5.0 97.8 b 3.7 23.9 b 1.6 94 b   8.3 Cropping efficiency Winter pruning Summer pruning Root suckers (Crop yield/TCA) weight (kg/tree) weight (kg/tree) (number/tree) Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2005 (2nd leaf) Nemaguard 8.1 a 0.6 2.5 a 0.2 HBOK 10 4.5 b 0.3 0.1 b 0 HBOK 32 4.5 b 0.2 0.3 b 0 Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2006 (3rd leaf) Nemaguard 0.1 a 0 11.6 a  0.8 3.1 a 0.1 2.5 a 0.2 HBOK 10 0.1 a 0.01 7.3 b 1.2 1.4 b 0.1 0.1 b 0 HBOK 32 0.1 a 0 5.7 b 0.1 1.3 b 0.1 0.3 b 0 Harvest year: 2007 (4th leaf) Nemaguard  0.19 c 0.01 11.7 a  0.2 2.8 a 0.1 2.8 a 0.3 HBOK 10  0.27 a 0.02 8.0 b 0.4 1.5 b 0.1 0.3 b 0 HBOK 32  0.22 b 0 8.0 b 0.1 1.2 c 0.1 0.1 b 0 Harvest year: 2008 (5th leaf) Nemaguard  0.19 b 0.01 16.7 a  0.7 1.6 a 0.2 2.8 a 0.4 HBOK 10  0.23 a 0.01 9.8 b 0.6 1.3 a 0.3 0.1 b 0.0 HBOK 32  0.25 a 0.02 9.4 b 0.3 1.3 a 0.3 0.3 b 0.1 * Means within column and year with the same letter(s) are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test P ≦ 0.05.

-   Comparison number four; performance of ‘Summer Fire’ nectarine scion     on ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’ and ‘Nemaguard’ rootstocks

A field rootstock trial was established at Parlier, Calif. in February 2004 to measure the growth and productivity of compound trees of scion cultivar ‘Summer Fire’ nectarine bud grafted onto different rootstocks including ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’ and ‘Nemaguard’. A total of 20 trees of each rootstock/scion combination were planted and trained to the perpendicular V system. Between-row spacing of 5.49 m (18 ft) was the same for all rootstock/scion combinations, and in-row spacing was 2.13 m (7ft) between trees for all treatments. Four replications of 5 trees each were arranged according to a randomized complete block design.

The soil at the site is a well-drained Hanford fine sandy loam. The trees were provided supplemental moisture with micro-sprinklers to maintain 100% of potential evapo-transpiration prior to harvest and about 80% after harvest. Supplemental nutrients were provided by applying UN 32 through irrigation at a rate of 5 gal per acre per application of 2 to 3 applications per year until the trees were 2 years old. Beginning in year three, 250 lb per acre of ammonium nitrate was applied each fall. Pesticides were applied according to standard horticultural practices. Weeds were controlled by mowing the row middles and applying herbicides to maintain a 1.5 m wide weed-free strip down the tree rows.

Trees were pruned in May and late November according to standard recommendations for growing the trees. Severity of pruning was adjusted according to the growth characteristics of each rootstock/scion combination to optimize crop production while developing/maintaining the desired tree shape. The first significant fruit set occurred in the third leaf and crop load was adjusted for tree size by hand thinning to maintain a minimum spacing between fruit. Because patterns of fruit maturity varied among rootstocks, fruit were harvested in several picks but data were combined from all harvests to calculate mean fruit yield. Data on crop load (fruit per tree) and fruit size were also recorded.

-   Results

There were differences among compound trees with different rootstocks beginning in harvest year 2005 (2^(nd) leaf) and continuing through 2008 (5^(th) leaf) (Table 6). Tree height and TCA of compound plants with ‘Summer Fire’ scions on ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ rootstocks were significantly less than with ‘Nemaguard’ rootstocks in all years. There were no clear patterns of differences for fruit weight and crop yield. In 2007 and 2008, cropping efficiency of ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ was greater than that of ‘Nemaguard’. Each of the four years, the amount of material removed during both summer and winter pruning from ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ was less than from ‘Nemaguard’, and both ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ produced fewer root suckers than ‘Nemaguard’.

Table 6 below shows mean values for tree height, trunk cross sectional area (TCA), crop yield, fruit weight, cropping efficiency, winter pruning weight, and summer pruning weight of second-leaf through fifth-leaf ‘Summer Fire’ nectarine scions on three different rootstocks and mean number of root suckers on each of the rootstocks. Trees were planted at Parlier, Calif. in 2004.

TABLE 6 Tree height Crop yield Fruit weight (cm) TCA (cm²) (kg/tree) (g/fruit) Root suckers Mean * S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2005 (2nd leaf) Nemaguard 393 a 8.3 46.0 a 3 HBOK 10 287 b 8.1 24.4 b 1.6 HBOK 32 287 b 8.2 23.9 b 1.7 Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2006 (3rd leaf) Nemaguard 406 a 9.1 84.4 a 3.6  1.9 a 0.1 130 b   0 HBOK 10 360 b 8.3 47.1 b 3.1  1.6 a 0.3 180 a   0 HBOK 32 329 b 7.9 51.6 b 2.5  2.0 a 0.2 170 a   0 Harvest year: 2007 (4th leaf) Nemaguard 459 a 8..9 122.4 a  4.1 20.5 b 0.3 228.9 a 3.4 HBOK 10 369 b 8.4 69.7 b 3.3  21.0 ab 1.3  222.3 ab 1.4 HBOK 32 373 b 8.5 78.9 b 2.9 23.2 a 1 217.3 b 3.7 Harvest year: 2008 (5th leaf) Nemaguard 514 a 7.1 145.4 a  5.67 33.4 b 0.6 214.1 a 3.9 HBOK 10 481 b 9.5 101.2 b  5.1 32.1 b 1.0 210.4 a 1.2 HBOK 32 446 c 13.5 87.1 c 5.0 37.2 a 1.6 206.2 a 3.4 Cropping efficiency Winter pruning Summer pruning Root suckers (Crop yield/TCA) weight (kg/tree) weight (kg/tree) (number/tree) Root suckers Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2005 (2nd leaf) Nemaguard 7.4 a 0.3 2.4 a 0.7 HBOK 10 3.3 b 0.2 0.2 b 0.1 HBOK 32 2.5 c 0.3 0.4 b 0.2 Root suckers Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Harvest year: 2006 (3rd leaf) Nemaguard 0.02 b 0 11.1 a  0.5 2.9 a 0.1 2.4 a 0.7 HBOK 10 0.02 b 0 7.2 b 0.4 1.2 c 0.1 0.2 b 0.1 HBOK 32 0.04 a 0 5.3 c 0.2 1.5 b 0.1 0.4 b 0.5 Harvest year: 2007 (4th leaf) Nemaguard 0.12 c 0.01 12.8 a  0.6 3.2 a 0.1 2.9 a 0.6 HBOK 10  0.181 b 0.01 8.3 b 0.5 1.5 b 0 0.1 b 0 HBOK 32  0.225 a 0.01 6.1 c 0.3 1.5 b 0.1 0.1 b 0 Harvest year: 2008 (5th leaf) Nemaguard 0.24 c 0.01 9.8 a 0.3  0.89 a 0.1 3.3 a 0.2 HBOK 10 0.33 b 0.02 7.3 b 0.4  0.57 b 0.1 0.4 b 0.2 HBOK 32 0.44 a 0.02 4.7 c 0.4  0.33 c 0.1 0.3 b 0.2 * Means within column and year with the same letter(s) are not significantly different according to Duncan's Multiple

-   Nematode response of rootstocks in field trials

Trees of ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 50’ were determined to be heterozygous resistant and ‘HBOK 32’ was homozygous resistant to root-knot nematodes based on reactions of OP-F₃ progeny seedlings from each inoculated with nematodes (Gillen, 2001) and levels of resistance comparable to ‘Nemaguard’ were confirmed in subsequent pot tests. Although field tests were not conducted to determine reaction to root-knot nematode, available data from other sources describe ‘HBOK’ rootstock response to root knot nematode and other nematodes that infest roots of Prunus crops.

Clonal propagules of these rootstocks have been included in several field trials conducted at Parlier, Calif., and other sites. The results of a nematode screening field trial conducted in 2004 are shown in Table 7 below. ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 32’ had levels of response to root-knot nematode similar, but slightly less resistant than ‘Nemaguard’. ‘HBOK 50’ showed no symptoms in the single repetition in that trial.

The field trial included planting out 20 seedlings into an open field of Hanford sandy loam soil. Six seedlings were inoculated with root knot by itself, 6 were inoculated with root lesion by itself and the remaining 8 were inoculated with the combination of the two nematodes but from a different source that came from a ‘Nemaguard’ replant setting. If four or five more seedlings were available, and if adequate space was available, the four or five seedlings were planted into sandy soil containing ring nematode plus a single ‘Nemaguard’ adjacent to each of the five. Tree roots and above-ground biomass were assessed by using a backhoe to exhume the entire tree, usually at 6 months 12 months, and 18 months after planting. Young roots were collected from all along each root system. A 20 gram sample of diced root tips was placed in a funnel within a mist chamber for five days and nematodes forced to migrate through tissue paper into the test tubes. Nematodes were counted and identified as to species. The population of root-knot, Meloidogyne incognita was aggressive, the population of root lesion, Pratylenchus vulnus was moderately aggressive, and the population of ring nematode, Criconemoides xenoplax was moderately aggressive.

Table 7 below shows the response (nematodes/g root, fw) of six rootstocks to root lesion and root-knot nematodes in field trials during 2004.

TABLE 7 Root lesion Root-knot Root lesion only only and Root-knot Rootstock Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. Mean S.E.M. HBOK 10 0.03 0.02 0.09 0.07 0.12 0.09 HBOK 32 0.91 0.79 0.77 0.71 1.68 0.88 HBOK 50 0.35^(a) — 0 — 0.35 — Nemaguard 0.72 0.35 0 0 0.7 0.35 Cadaman 0.01 0.01 0 0 0.01 0.01 Ishtara 22.46 4.12 0.02 0.02 22.48 4.1 ^(a)Single repetition only for HBOK 50.

Additional data suggests that these three rootstocks have useful resistance to root-knot nematode and possibly to other nematodes as well. In “A Report to the California Tree Fruit Agreement—A greater number of rootstock choices can provide a partial alternative to methyl bromide fumigation ” (McKenry, Dec. 30, 2007) it states, “One selection, ‘HBOK-10’, was as resistant to root-knot as ‘Nemaguard’ but supported half the number of root-lesion as ‘Nemaguard’.” In 2008, McKenry reported that ‘HBOK 10’ showed only 0.08 root-knot nematodes per gram of root compared to 0 for ‘Nemaguard’, ‘Okinawa’, ‘Cadaman’, and ‘Ishtara’, and 31 for ‘Lovell’ (McKenry, 2008). In the same report, a 2-year study showed few or no root-knot nematodes on ‘HBOK 10’ and ‘HBOK 50’, respectively, the latter being similar to ‘Nemaguard’. There were few root lesion nematodes Pralylenchus vulnus per gram of root on ‘HBOK 10’, similar to numbers on ‘Nemaguard’, ‘Lovell’, ‘Okinawa’, ‘Cadaman’ and Ishtara', while ‘HBOK 50’ had higher levels than ‘Nemaguard’ (McKenry, 2008). In a field trial in Stanislaus County, Calif., ‘HBOK 32’ roots had fewer ring nematodes and root lesion nematodes and a similar amount of root-knot nematodes than ‘Nemaguard’ (McKenry, 2007).

Based on the seedling responses, ratings made in a pot test and the limited field studies, it is believed that ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’, and ‘HBOK 50’ have useful levels of resistance to root-knot nematode. The observations reported by McKenry suggest that they may have useful levels of resistance to some other nematodes.

-   Propagation of ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’, and ‘HBOK 50’ for rootstocks

Asexual propagation of peach rootstock planting materials is usually peformed by one of three methods: leafy cuttings, hardwood (dormant) cuttings and tissue culture. Most of the propagation of these experimental materials for the field experiments was by leafy cuttings at Davis, Calif.

-   Propagation via leafy cuttings

Materials were propagated using leafy cuttings. Stems were collected from June through August. They were cut into segments 6 to 10 inches long and the leaves near the base stripped away. Cuttings were then dipped in 1000 ppm IBA (dissolved in 50% ethyl alcohol) for five seconds and the base then placed in a soil-less mix of 1 part vermiculite and 2 parts perlite in propagation flats. Flats were placed under mist, with the frequency of misting regulated by an artificial leaf Rooting occurred in about two to three weeks.

-   Propagation via hardwood (dormant) cuttings

Materials were propagated using hardwood cuttings. Current year shoots were collected in the middle of November. They were cut to 14 inch long and the basal ends soaked for 24 hours in a 100 ppm IBA. They were then placed in moist burlap bags, which were then placed in plastic bags, securely closed with a wire, and incubated at about 60° F. Cuttings were inspected every week starting after the second week of incubation. When the bases of most cuttings were covered with callus, they were planted in paper sleeves with soil-less mix of three parts fir bark and one part sand. They were placed under cover to protect from rain and watered whenever needed.

-   Propagation via tissue culture

Materials were propagated using tissue culture. The procedures involved collecting young shoots, usually in April, and then sterilizing them with a surface sterilizing agent such as common household bleach. The shoots were then rinsed several times with sterile water, cut into small pieces each containing vegetative terminal or auxiliary buds. These cuttings were then placed in special media for tissue establishment. They were transferred into shoot multiplication medium where auxiliary shoots proliferate in numbers dependent on the type of rootstock. These multiplied shoots were cut and placed in a rooting medium to produce complete plants. The plants were taken out from the test tubes, where they were grown in the laboratory, placed in trays with soil-less mix and transferred into a greenhouse with fogging system for hardening. These were individually potted and transferred to a regular greenhouse where they were budded with different Prunus tops, grown till winter, and sold to farmers.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

An experimental population (referred to as ‘OP-F₂ population’) derived from open pollination in 1994, of a single F₁ plant (No. P248-139) of the cross ‘Harrow Blood’ (HB)×‘Okinawa’ (OK) was subsequently brought to Davis, Calif. The rootstock ‘HBOK 10’ resulted from a single plant (94-94-10) selected from that population at Davis, Calif. and subsequently propagated asexually to be studied as a rootstock.

The following horticultural description was developed from plant material of this new rootstock cultivar growing at Davis, Calif. Trees of the ‘HBOK10’ were observed for description during 2008 growing season. At that time, the trees were growing for the twelfth year. Color definition used throughout the following botanical description of this rootstock was set by Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards.

-   Tree:     -   -   Tree.—The tree from which this description is taken was             grafted on ‘Nemared’ and planted at Davis, Calif., in 1996.             It was used as a source from which to propagate the new             rootstock for experimental tests and plantings. The             propagated tree was grown in a V-shaped training system for             two years. Since then, the tree has received rather severe             annual pruning to keep it in a highly vegetative state. The             heavy pruning favors the development of many long straight             shoots especially suited for the production of clonal rooted             cuttings (FIG. 1). The trees of the subject new cultivar are             vigorous and hardy under typical Sacramento Valley, Calif.             climatic conditions. -   Trunk:     -   -   Trunk.—The rootstock was grafted on ‘Nemared’ and the union             between the two rootstocks were so complete that the point             of the graft union, after twelve years, was             undistinguishable (FIG. 2). The circumference of the ‘HBOK             10’ trunk, 20 cm above the soil level, averages 51 cm. The             trunk surface is coarse and has moderate number of cracks.             Trunk color is yellow red (7.5YR 8/2 by Munsell Color Chart             for Plant Tissues standards). -   Branches:     -   -   Branches.—The tree branches have the normal thickness of a             peach. The primary scaffolds arising from the trunk range             from 28 to 29 cm in circumference measured at the base.             Color of the main scaffolds is yellow red (7.5YR 8/2 by             Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards). Base             circumference of upper spreader limbs ranges from 10 to 14             cm (FIG. 3). Lower and smaller fruit hangers wood bases             range from 1.5 to 2 cm in circumference. Older branch             surfaces are netted and lightly furrowed. Surface color of             four year old branches ranges from red (2.5R 4-11 to 2.5R5-4             by Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards).             Numerous small and flattened bark lenticels are present on             two to four year old wood and absent on one year and older             than four year old wood (FIG. 4) Lenticels range from 0.5 to             1 mm in width and 2 mm in length. Their color is yellow red             (7.5YR 8/2 by Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues             standards). -   Leaves:     -   -   Leaves.—The length of leaves, selected from the middle of             shoots bearing fruits, ranges between 14 to 15 cm including             the petiole and the width, measured at the widest point, is             3 to 3.5 cm. Leaf shape is subulate, the tip is acuminate,             the base is acute, the venation is netted and the surface is             glabrous (FIG. 5).         -   a) Leaf margins.—Leaf margin is serrulate and at the tip of             each of the indentation there is a protrusion that resembles             small red colored spine (2.5R-4/8 set by Munsell Color Chart             for Plant Tissues standards).         -   b) Leaf color.—Leaf color, in mid July, is green yellow (5GY             4-4 set by Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards).         -   c) Leaf petiole.—The petiole is of the average size. The             color is green yellow (5GY 6-4 set by Munsell Color Chart             for Plant Tissues standards). The length is 10 mm and the             thickness is 1 mm. They are glabrous. There are no stipules             at the base of the petiole.         -   d) Leaf glands.—There are on average two reniform shaped             leaf glands per leaf located on the petiole portion closest             to the leaf blade. The color of these glands is red (2.5 R             5/4 set by Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards). -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit.—The fruit is free stone. They ripen in the first week             of August in Davis, Calif. Their surface, resembling an             average peach, is pubescent. Their shape is round (with             length equal to the width ranging from 50 to 60 mm). The             tree produces an abundance of fruits and may break branches             if not thinned (FIG. 6).         -   a) Fruit color.—The color of fruit skin is green Yellow (2.5             GY 8-12 set by Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues             standards) — (FIG. 6).         -   b) Fruit flesh.—The color of the fruit flesh, when the fruit             is between mature and ripe is yellow green (22-1 set by             Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards The color of             the flesh adjacent to the seed is reddish (2.5R-5/10 set by             Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards) — (FIG. 6). -   Seed:     -   -   Seed.—The seed (pit), resembling a typical peach seed, is             ovate in shape with protrusion at the tip and deep grooves             on the surface. The length, including the protrusion, is 35             mm and the width is 25 mm. The color is yellow red (7.5 YR             4-4 set by Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards)             — (FIG. 6).         -   a) Seed kernel.—The kernel of the seed is ovate with a             length of 15 mm and a width of 12 mm. The color of the             kernel is yellow red (5 YR 6/8) with red (2.5 YR 5/4) lines             running length wise. Resembling a typical peach seed kernel,             it is bitter in taste. -   Floral description:     -   -   a) Flower buds.—I. Size The flower buds are medium in size,             5 mm in length and 3.5 mm in width when first swelling (FIG.             7). II. Arrangement One flower bud is usually born on each             side of a vegetative bud. One vegetative bud is born on each             node of one-year old wood. III. Form The flower buds are             conic in form and relatively plump. The buds are hardy under             typical Sacramento Valley, Calif. climatic conditions. IV.             Color Bud scales are red (2.5R-4-4 set by Munsell Color             Chart for Plant Tissues standards) — (FIG. 7). V. Bud             Surfaces The surfaces of the buds are lightly pubescent on             the margins of the bud scales and gradually less in             pubescence towards the center of the bud scales. The center             of scales is glabrous.         -   b) Bloom timing.—The time of the bloom is early in relation             to standard commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Sacramento Valley, Calif. climatic conditions. Bloom date is             February 19 and full bloom is March 1st. The start of             leafing coincides with full bloom.         -   c) Flower size.—Average flower diameter, in a fully expanded             condition, is 35 mm (FIG. 7).         -   d) Bloom quantity.—Bloom quantity is heavy when compared             with standard commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Sacramento Valley, Calif. climatic conditions. The number of             flower buds per node ranges from 1 to 3 with an average of             two being most common. Many of the flower buds are retained             on the tree to full bloom.         -   e) Flower petals.—The number of the petals per flower is             five. The length of the flower petals averages 17 mm and the             width 15 mm, and a fully expanded flower is 15 mm in length             and width (FIG. 7). The shape of the petals is orbicular             with margins that are entire. Each of the petals has nine             main ribs palmate with net arranged veins. The color of the             petals color is pink (2.5R-9/3 set by Munsell Color Chart             for Plant Tissues standards) and the color gets a little             more intense (2.5R-8/5) towards the base.         -   f) Flower pedicels.—The length and the width of each of the             flower pedicel and calyx, in a fully expanded flower, is 1             mm each. The color of the pedicel and the calyx is green             yellow (2.5GY-7/8 set by Nickerson Color Fan standards) —             FIG. 7). The surface of the pedicel is glabrous.         -   g) Sepals.—The number of the sepals is five. The surfaces of             the sepals are heavily pubescent on the margins and             gradually less in pubescence towards the center of the             sepals. The center of the sepal is glabrous. The form is             conic with a round apex. The width of the upper part,             measured at the middle point, is 4 mm; the lower part is             2 mm. The color of the sepals, in a fully expanded flower,             is red (2.5R-4/8 set by Munsell Color Chart for Plant             Tissues standards) — (FIG. 7). The lower section of the             sepals, from the early stages of the popcorn state to fully             expanded flowers, has red dots. The color of the dots is the             same as the sepals at the fully expanded state of the             flower.         -   h) Anthers and pollen.—The number of anthers averages             between 38 and 46. The size is of the anthers is average.             During the pop-corn stage of the flower bud development, the             color is red (5R-5/10 set by Munsell Color Chart for Plant             Tissues standards) dorsally and around the edges ventrally             (FIG. 7). Pollen is viable and medium in availability.             Pollen color is yellow (2.5Y-8/12 set by Munsell Color Chart             for Plant Tissues standards).         -   i) Stamens.—The average number of stamens is 40. Stamen             length is variable, from 11 to 19 mm in a fully expanded             flower. Color of stamen is red (2.5R-8/4 set by Munsell             Color Chart for Plant Tissues standards) — (FIG. 7).         -   j) Pistil.—The pistil length is 18 to 20 mm. The pubescent             ovary length is 2 mm with a width of 1 mm; the style length             is 18 mm width is 0.3 mm and the stigma's length is 0.5 mm             and with a width of 0.2 mm. The color of the style is yellow             (7.5Y-9/8 — set by Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues             standards). The color of the ovary, after removing the hairs             is green yellow (2.5GY-6/8 set by Munsell Color Chart for             Plant Tissues standards).

The following references are incorporated by reference for the purpose of providing further comparative data related to the claimed plant material.

-   Bliss, F. A., A. A. Almehdi, A. M. Dandekar, P. L. Schuerman and N.     Bellaloui. 1999. Crown gall resistance in accessions of 20 Prunus     species. HortScience 34(2):326-330. -   DeJong, T., A. Almehdi, S. Johnson and K. Day. 2005. Improved     rootstocks for peach and Nectarine. California Tree Fruit Agreement,     Annual Report—2005. 20 pp. -   DeJong, T., A. Almehdi, S. Johnson and K. Day. 2006. Improved     rootstocks for peach and Nectarine. California Tree Fruit Agreement,     Annual Report—2006. 18 pp. -   DeJong, T., A. Almehdi, S. Johnson and K. Day. 2007. Improved     rootstocks for peach and Nectarine. California Tree Fruit Agreement,     Annual Report—2007. 19 pp. -   DeJong, T., A. Almehdi, S. Johnson and K. Day. 2007. Improved     rootstocks for peach and Nectarine. California Tree Fruit Agreement,     Annual Report—2008. 19 pp. -   DeJong, T., A. Almehdi, J. Grant and R. Duncan. 2004. Evaluation of     rootstocks for tolerance to bacterial canker and orchard replant     conditions. Cling Peach Annual Report—2004. 11 pp. -   DeJong, T., A. Almehdi, J. Grant and R. Duncan. 2005. Evaluation of     rootstocks for tolerance to bacterial canker and orchard replant     conditions. Cling Peach Annual Report—2005. 16 pp. -   DeJong, T., A. Almehdi, J. Grant and R. Duncan. 2006. Evaluation of     rootstocks for tolerance to bacterial canker and orchard replant     conditions. Cling Peach Annual Report—2006. 15 pp. -   Dirlewanger, E., E. Graziano, T. Joobeur, F. Garriga-Caldere, P.     Cosson, W. Howard and P. Arúls. 2004. Comparative mapping and marker     assisted selection in Rosaceae fruit crops. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.     USA 101:9891-9896. -   Foolad, M. R., S. Arulsekar, V. Becerra, F. A. Bliss. 1995. A     genetic map of Prunus based on an interspecific cross between peach     and almond. Theor. Appl. Genet. 91:262-269. -   Gillen, Anne M. 2001. Developing a Size-controlling and Root-knot     Nematode Resistant Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] Rootstock.     Ph.D. Dissertation, University of California, Davis. 237 pp. -   Gillen, Anne M. and F. A. Bliss. 2005. Identification and mapping of     markers linked to the Mi gene for root-knot resistance in peach. J.     Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130:24-33. -   Howad, W., T. Yamamoto, E. Dirlewanger, R. Testolin, P. Cosson, G.     Cipriani, A. J. Monforte, L. Georgi, A.G. Abbott. 2005. Mapping with     a few plants: using selective mapping for microsatellite saturation     of the Prunus reference map. Genetics 171:1305-1309. -   McKenry, M. 12-30-2007. A greater number of rootstock choices can     provide a partial alternative to methyl bromide fumigation. A Report     to the California Tree Fruit Agreement. Accessed: -   McKenry, M. 2008. Development of nematode/rootstock profiles for 40     rootstocks with the potential to be alternatives to ‘Nemaguard’.     California Almond Board, 2007 Conference Proceedings. -   Ogundiwin, E. A., C. P. Peace, T. M. Gradziel, D. E. Parfitt, F. A.     Bliss and C. H. Crisosto. 2009. A fruit quality gene map of Prunus.     BMC Genomics (In review). -   Sherman. W. B., Paul M. Lyrene and P. E. Hansche. 1981. Seedling     Peach Rootstocks Resistant to Root-knot Nematodes. HortScience     16:523-524. -   Westwood, M. N. 1978. Temperate-Zone Pomology. Freeman, New York,     N.Y. 

1. A new and distinct variety of peach rootstock designated ‘HBOK 10’ as shown and described herein. 